Oakland Post, week of October 12 - 18, 2022

Oakland Post

Oakland Chaplains Respond to Need to Reduce Violence and Killings

Congresswoman Lee and Senator Padilla Hold Roundtable Discussion at First AME Church on Rising Gun Violence

“They say those that are closest to the pain are closest to the solution,”Anne Marks, Youth Alive

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) held a roundta ble discussion at the First Afri can Methodist Episcopal with community leaders and local elected officials to address the recent rise in gun violence in Oakland, hear from attendees, provide legislative updates, and discuss federal support for

local public safety initiatives.

“I am pleased that Sena tor Alex Padilla and East Bay community leaders joined me in a roundtable discussion to day about the alarming rate of gun violence, crime and public safety concerns in Oak land,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Words cannot express my sorrow and condolences

to the loved ones we have lost due to gun violence. Today, we discussed how systemic rac ism plays out in our communi ties. The majority of victims of gun violence are unfortunately Black and brown people. Our discussions today reaffirmed our commitment to fight for

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SDA Churches Join Outreach Efforts to Find Solutions to Upsurge Of Violence

By Post Staff

By Post Staff

On Oct. 8, the Northern California Conference of Sev enth Day Adventists(SDA) held their annual Convocation at Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakland.

Seven hundred people came together in celebration and worship. The theme was “Em bracing Change.” The guest speaker was Dr. Myron Ed monds, who pastors in Cleve land, Ohio. He spoke about how Christ wasn’t a tradition

alist and the work isn’t be ing done because some in the church don’t wish to change and they tend to demonize new ideas.

Throughout the day, the

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The Oakland Chaplaincy Pro gram founded by Pastor Phyllis Scott, President of the Pastors of Oakland graduated 13 more chaplains on Oct. 8, with Oak land Police Chief Lerone Arm strong in attendance to endorse and welcome their efforts to help bring peace to Oakland streets. Armstrong applauded the Chap lains whose mission is to serve the community by ministering and consoling victims of vio lence and their families. Pastor Scott said their emphasis is not just to respond to the incidences of violence, but also to proac tively participate in outreach activities and education sessions in partnership with communitybased organizations, faith-based groups, youth anti-violence ac tivists to advocate for solutions around livable-wage employ ment opportunities, affordable housing and the assistance to help residents transition from homelessness to more dignity.

Pastor Scott has met with law enforcement officials, formerly Incarcerated groups, social ser vice representatives and various job development non-profit or

Oakland School District Accused of Firing Teacher Activists

had promised not

By Ken Epstein

The Oakland teachers’ union has accused the Oakland Uni fied School District of retaliat ing against teacher activists, including firing two substitute teachers, who have protested school closings. The union is planning litigation against the district.

“The Oakland Education Association (OEA) demands an immediate halt to retalia tory actions undertaken by the Oakland Unified School Dis trict against activists working to keep Parker School and other neighborhood schools open,” ac cording to a statement sent to the Oakland Post by teachers’ union President Keith Brown

“Specifically, OUSD must im mediately rescind the termination of substitute teachers June Nel

son and Craig Gordon, rescind the reprimand of teacher Denise Huffstutler, and renew the con tract-for-services of Paloma Col lier,” the O.E.A. statement said.

While the district does not dis

cuss individual personnel mat ters, the Post asked for a response from OUSD on the issue of retali ation against employees for op posing school closings.

“OUSD does not comment

ganizations to gather their ideas and input for a city-wide sum mit to work to support solutions focused on stopping the killings and

“Our chaplains will focus on bringing solutions, healing and hope in our communities with leaders of our community that seek solutions. We stand in agreement with community ac tivists that seek solutions. We believe that we are better togeth er,” said Pastor Scott.

“We are pleased that our po

Roohee Marshall continues the series entitled: “A GENERATION FOUND Continues, Volume II” which photographic coffee table book with gallant, audacious, and courageous elders ages 80 to 110 from around featured individually. They answered the joys and pains of their lives, and survived and thrived and survived. the challenges of growing older and these tumultuous times including the experienced in a life well lived.

litical leaders and candidates for office are joining with us to seek solutions and we invite any per son or group that wants to work for peace on our streets through economic and housing solutions to join the formerly incarcerated groups who want to educate our youth about the penalties that lead to incarceration and the po tential loss of life. By developing jobs and housing, we can find hope for our community,” said Pastor Scott.

Wilfred Ussery Featured in New Book “A Generation Found: The Journey Continues”

By Roohee Marshall

Upon meeting Mr. Wilfred Ussery, the former national Chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality who had gained the reputation of being an “architect of civil rights and economic opportunity strategies”, I realized that he is clearly a multi-dimension al, visionary who is astute, keen and quite brilliant. Through him I am remind

Upon meeting Mr Wilfred Ussery, I realized that he is clearly a multi dimension is astute, keen and quite brilliant. Through him I am reminded of all the great the way through blood sweat and tears. He represents our elders who sacrificed the meaning of our true purpose and created our narratives guiding generations for life which is crucial for our survival. When I sit in the company of Mr Ussery of being in Mississippi I feel as though I am sitting on my grandfather’s front as I listen to Mr. Ussery’s exciting life’s journey, sharing precious jewels from River to his architectural genius. I am in awe as he strategically constructs his answers for all of our broken humanity He offers solid solutions to transform possibilities to attain greatness. Mr. Ussery is as full of life as his beautiful stands beside him, like a true Mother Warrior Queen, and it’s obvious that honored to include Mr. Ussery in the council of elders with the many other outstanding my book “A Generation Found; The Journey Continues, Volume II”. Mr. Ussery share his profound ideas with the world; truly a gift for all time. The other

ed of all the great leaders who paved the way through blood sweat and tears. He represents our elders who sacrificed and taught us the meaning of our true purpose and created our narratives guiding generations to the blueprint for life which is crucial for our survival. When I sit in the company of Mr. Ussery, I am reminded of being in Mississippi. I feel as though I am sitting on my grandfather’s front porch. I am inspired as I listen to Mr. Uss ery’s exciting life’s journey, sharing precious jewels from sleeping on the Nile River to his architectural genius. I am in awe as he strategically con structs his master plan with answers for all of our broken humanity.

entitled: “A GENERATION FOUND: The Journey Continues, Volume II” which is a full color, photographic coffee table book with 51 interviews gallant, audacious, and courageous African American elders ages 80 to 110 from around the country featured individually. They answered questions about the joys and pains of their lives, and how they have survived and thrived and survived. They also shared the challenges of growing older and how to survive these tumultuous times including the life long lessons experienced in a life well lived.

He offers solid solutions to transform societies creating possibilities to attain great ness. Mr. Ussery is as full of

retaliate against employees

school closures

Veteran teacher Denise Huffstutler received a letter of reprimand from the school district, is shown here (second from left) with teachers who joined ILWU Local 10 longshore workers at Oakland City Hall to halt the takeover of public land at the Port land and the closure of schools to benefit billionaire charter school and real estate developers. Photo by Ken Epstein.

From left to right: Pastor Raymond Lankford, Elder Busayo Alabi, Pastor Damon Washington, Sister Rose Robinson, Pastor Garrett Anderson, Pastor Edwin Brown, Pastor Willie Johnson, Pastor Virgil Childs.

A GENERATION FOUND: The Journey Continues by author & photographer Roohee Marshall Roohee Marshall continues the series with a 2nd bo

A GENERATION FOUND: The Journey Continues by author & photographer Roohee

Dr. Cledie Taylor, owner of Extended Art Gallery, Detroit,MI

Wilfred Ussery Celebrated his 94th birthday this week at Geof frey’s Inner Circle Jazz Performance.

Left to right : Rev. M. McConn , Pastor M. McConn Gilmore, Minister Candi Thornton (backrow), Minister Kevin Holden, pastor Anthony Grayson Dr. Kathy Logan (Bk), Bishop James Williams Bishop Terrence Millican (Bk), minister knuckles, rev a Hicks Bk roe, Rev ora Hicks, Pastor Phyllis Scott, Oakland Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong, Rev Marilyn Harris.

on personnel matters,” replied OUSD spokesperson John Sa saki.

The district appears to be tak

Congresswoman Barbara Lee and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla co-hosted a conference during His panic Heritage Month, at First AME church in Oakland to discuss solutions to the upsurges of violence in the East Bay Area.

Research Finds Black Californians Prioritize Health, While System Fails to Prioritize Black Californians

By Maxim Elramsisy, California Black Media

The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) has re leased a study that found Black Californians are highly en gaged with their health care, are active in advocating for their health and have strong and clear opinions about how the healthcare system can be improved.

“I think it’s surprising be cause of the pervasive myths about noncompliance among black patients” said Shakari Byerly, managing partner of EVITARUS, a Los Angeles

based Black-owned public opinion research firm who designed, conducted and ana lyzed the research. “The fact is that our traditional foods may not be as healthy. While that may have some degree of an ecdotal resonance, what we’re seeing broadly is that people are working very hard.”

The study was staged in three different phases intended to get varying levels of insight from different cohorts of Black Californians.

Phase one consisted of hour long interviews with 100 in dividuals to understand their views on health, perceptions of discrimination, and their vision for an ideal healthcare system.

In Phase Two, the research ers conducted 18 segmented focus groups to explore struc tural issues in the health care system.

In Phase Three, 3,325 Black Californians were surveyed to determine how well the find ings in phases one and two captured and represented the views of the general popula tion of Black Californians.

The data that was collected showed that 90% of Black Californians say that they have health insurance coverage, and 92% of respondents said that they have seen a doctor or healthcare provider in the last year. Most people reported

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From Grapes to the Glass

By Tamara Shiloh

Winemaking is a centuries-old profession origi nating in Old World France. Socioeconom ics, however, has played a role in the lack of Black connois seurs and producers of wine in America. Fine wines have al ways been a staple in exclusive clubs and upscale restaurants; establishments traditionally filled with White patrons. Even today, little is revealed about the rapidly increasing growth of diversity in the industry. Despite their absence from the narrative, so-called anoma lies within the Black com munity were growing plump grapes and distilling them into bottles—one being John June Lewis Sr. (1894–1974), owner and operator of Woburn Win ery.

Lewis’ passion for wine making developed while sta tioned in the European Rhine Valley during World War I. He came to love the land, the soil, and especially the grapes. Af ter his tour, he returned home to his father’s Clarksville, Va., plantation where he worked in the lumber business until the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. After his father’s death, Lewis would inherit land. Still hold ing on to his passion, he plant ed 10 acres of labrusca grapes

Endorsed by the Democratic Party

John June Lewis Sr. (1894–1974), owner and operator of Woburn Winery.

in the Ivy Hill area of Mecklen burg County. The cellar held 5,000 gallons, sold mostly to neighbors and friends. Later, in 1940, it would grow into Wo burn Winery.

Woburn is thought to have been the only Virginia winery by the early 1970s to manufac ture wine solely from its own grapes, and the only Blackowned winery in the US. Dubbed, “the Virginia Caro lina Brand,” Raisin Wine and Virginia Red Grape were the only two varieties Woburn pro duced.

Only 25 percent of Blacks drink wine, as opposed to 34 percent of their white coun terparts, according to Batya Ungar-Sargon, managing edi tor of VinePair. This may be the result of the way wine is marketed (or not) in the Black

community. Although Blacks are “12 percent more likely to shop for wine online than their white counterparts, wine sell ers and their marketers contin ue to refuse to reach out to the African American consumer,” Ungar-Sargon writes.

“I’ve never seen any (wine) advertising or marketing di rected at African Americans,” Tony Harris, vice president of an African American wine tasting group in the East Bay told SF Gate. “This is clearly a missed opportunity.”

Still, Black winemakers are navigating the maze of a tough and unwelcoming industry through vineyard ownership.

Of the more than 11,000 win eries based in the US, less than 1 percent of those are Blackowned or have a Black wine maker.

Lewis made wine from la brusca and hybrid grapes for more than three decades until his death in 1974. The winery closed soon after. Today, Vir ginia is home to more than 300 wineries and wine brands but fewer than five are owned by African Americans.

Get advice on navigating wine lists, purchasing wine, and drinking more diverse and interesting selections at home from Brooklyn sommelier and winemaker André Mack in “99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s Guide to Life-Changing Wines.”

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family’s future—

That’s why the team at Cityside Journalism Initiative created The Oaklandside. Launched with support from Google, The Oaklandside grew out of a mission to inform and give voice to underserved Oakland residents.

Through deep audience engagement, The Oaklandside helped readers navigate the pandemic, proving the value of local news that’s for — not just about — its community.

Learn more about how Google supports local news g.co/supportingnews/local

Oakland residents needed more community-centered coverage

California’s Latinos Reflect on Experiences, Accomplishments

By McKenzie Jackso, California Black Media

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, California Black Media writer McKenzie Jackson takes a look at the lives and accomplishments of some people of Hispanic heritage in California.

Dayane Mendoza Solis con sidered throwing her hat in the ring for a trustee seat on the Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s board in the upcom ing November election.

The 28-year-old accountant, a graduate of the Wine Coun try’s public school system, says more Latino representation is needed on school boards and in government, more broadly.

In the end, Solis decided not to run. Instead, she chose to focus on her budding career as an accountant. Still, Solis said, she would like to see more La tinos in prominent positions across the Golden State.

“People were so happy to know that I, a Latina, was ready to step into a leadership role,” said Solis, an admirer of New York Congresswoman Alex andria Ocasio-Cortez. “More Latino leaders are needed to step up and guide younger gen erations because there are so many people of Mexican and other Latin American descents in California.”

Solis hopes Hispanic Heri tage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, shines a light on that.

“The Latino community is made up of hard workers, who are willing to thrive and help others in need,” Solis told Cali fornia Black Media (CBM). “We have a strong presence in the state.” Hispanic Heritage Month

Assemblymember Mia Bontà takes selfies with community mem bers in district 18.

places that work ethic front and center. The monthlong na tional recognition is held an nually to celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions, and extensive histories of the U.S. Latino community, the second largest racial or ethnic group in the country.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) says the occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge and uplift the voices and experiences of La tinos in America.

“We are still living in a time and place where we need to make sure we elevate the ex periences of Latinos,” Bonta who is a Black Latina (or Afro Latina) said to CBM. “Having a month dedicated to telling their stories, focusing on their legacies and the everyday he roes who make a difference is very important.”

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), Latinos are largest ethnic group in the state. They are about 39.4% of the state’s population or about 15.7 mil lion people. Non-Hispanic Whites are 34.7% and African Americans are 5.4% of the population.

The largest concentration

of people of Hispanic Heritage in California lives in Impe rial County (79.6%), which is adjacent to San Diego County along the southern border of California. Latinos make up 48% of Los Angeles County’s population and over 50% of the population in San Bernardino and Fresno counties. One in ev ery four Hispanic American call California home.

Among Latinos in California, Mexican Americans account for the largest number of people of Hispanic origin in the state (30.7%) followed by Hispanics originating from the Caribbean (0.8%) and people of Central American descent (3.0%).

Throughout California’s 170-year history Latinos have contributed to every aspect of life including agriculture, con struction, entertainment, health care, hospitality, sports, and politics. In fact, people of His panic Heritage have been living in California since the 1600s, according to some reports.

California has been home to a number of national heroes of Hispanic heritage including la bor leaders Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta, cofounders

Continued on page 6

47 Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs Stripped of Guns, Arresting Powers for Failing Psych Evaluation

By Ken Epstein

Forty-seven Alameda Coun ty Deputy Sheriffs have been removed from active duty after an internal audit revealed that they had failed a state-required psychological evaluation, go ing back as far as 2016 and should never have been hired, according to news reports.

These deputies, about 5% of the 1,000-member sworn force, had received a ‘D’ on the psychological evaluation when they were hired. Under state law, officers who receive a “D. Not Suited” on a psycho logical evaluation cannot serve as a peace officer.

Thirty of the demoted depu ties work at Santa Rita Jail, and 17 work elsewhere, including patrol. The department has al ready been facing intense criti cism for 59 in-custody deaths at Santa Rita since 2014.

The department says de moted deputies will still re ceive their pay and benefits but are stripped of their firearms and no longer can make arrests or write citations. They will be allowed to retake the exam.

The audit came in the wake of the arrest of former Deputy Devin Williams Jr., 24, who was charged with the shoot ing deaths of a Dublin, Calif., couple in their home on Sep tember 7.

Williams, who may have been involved in a romantic relationship with one of the victims, had failed his psycho logical exam, although previ ously a department official said Williams, who was hired in September 2021, had passed all psychological tests.

It was “horrible’’ to have to relieve the deputies of their duties, sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Ray Kelly told KTVU-TV. He said he hoped to conduct retests in the next few months.

In a letter obtained by KTVU, Sheriff Gregory Ahern promised a demoted deputy to schedule another psych exam and that he intended to “re solve this issue as quickly as possible” and “return to full duty status once you obtain a ‘suitable’ finding.”

Ahern, who has been in his position since 2007, recently lost his reelection bid and will leave office in January.

According to Ahern’s let ter, the Sheriff’s Office has been operating under incorrect advice received from the Cali fornia Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).”

However, Meagan Poulos, spokesperson for POST told the Oakland Post, “It has never been legal to hire candidates who fail a psychological evalu ation. That requirement to pass is in California Government Code 1031 as well as POST Regulation 1955. We are ac tively reviewing what has oc curred in Alameda County, so I cannot comment on the totality of the situation at this time.”

Kelly also said a new psych exam will be conducted by a POST-certified psychologist not affiliated with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.

The evaluation involves a pre-test self-interview, mul tiple-choice tests and an inperson interview. During the exam, candidates are asked a

series of questions about their background, lifestyle, work history, problems they may be experiencing and expectations that they have regarding the job,” according to an online re port.

Other deputies, in addition to the 47 who were demoted, may have received a ‘D’ on the psych exam before 2016, but prior to 2016, ‘D’ was passing, according to Kelly.

The fact that so many deputy sheriffs received failing exams “is disturbing,” according to a statement released by the Oak land-based Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

“Even more horrifying is that the Sheriff’s Office has known about this for so long and did absolutely nothing except turn a blind eye and cover this up at the expense of the general pub lic and incarcerated individu als,” said Ella Baker Center Or ganizing Director Jose Bernal.

“This further highlights the egregious levels of dysfunc tion and corruption that have plagued the sheriff’s office for years,” Bernal said adding that the Ella Baker Center and oth ers have repeatedly called for transparency and accountabili ty of the Sheriff’s Office, which “has a long history of human rights abuses, neglect and poor conditions inside the county jail,” according to a statement released by the center.

“This further highlights the egregious levels of dysfunction and corruption that have plagued the sheriff’s office for years,” according to Ella Baker Center

Alameda County Jail Santa Rita.

Ignacio De La Fuente

A Working Mayor…For a City That Works.

A WORKING MAYOR DISHWASHER

Immigrating from Mexico to Oakland wasn’t easy. Ignacio started out as a dishwasher and eventually became a cook.

UNION LEADER

Ignacio took a job at a local foundry. As African Americans and Latinos were passed over for better jobs and raises, Ignacio organized his co-workers to stand up against discrimination. He won election as Shop Steward and then became the International Vice President of the Glass, Molders and Potters Union.

WORKING WITH MAYOR JERRY BROWN

Ignacio was elected to the Oakland City Council and became Council President. Working alongside Mayor Jerry Brown, they created the landmark plan that transformed Oakland. This included new housing, new infrastructure and incentives to lure new business to Oakland, creating jobs and improving neighborhoods. He can do it again as Mayor.

FOR A CITY THAT WORKS…

Today, gridlock on the city council, crime and the escalating number of unhoused residents are holding back opportunity.

Our leaders have failed us. Ignacio can’t stand by while people are afraid to walk the streets or take their children to the park in the city that he loves.

CRIME

Ignacio will make sure police have the resources they need to protect residents and businesses and will invest in prevention programs to address the root causes of crime.

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS

The city is mismanaging millions of dollars on ineffective programs to address homelessness. Ignacio will clean up and reduce the number of homeless encampments and provide coordinated treatment and services to move people into housing.

Comrade SistersWomen of the Black Panther Party Opinion

By Rev. Dr. Martha C. Taylor

When I re ceived an invita tion to attend the book signing launch block party “Comrade Sisters Women of the Black Panther Party (BPP) on Oc tober10, 2022 from my sister friend, Reverend Gayle (Asali) Dickson, a former Black Pan ther, I did not hesitate. We are at a crucial time in history where women are coming out from the shadows to the forefront to tell their stories. This book, a first of its kind, focuses on the collective efforts of women in the BPP that celebrates and honors the women who were always there, yet their contri butions were either marginal ized or left out.

The book is co-authored by Stephen Shames, an awardwinning photojournalist who has used his photography skills to focus on social issues. He said, he gained total access into the Panther Party early on be cause Bobby Seale trusted him.

Ericka Huggins, a leading well known party member activist, continues as an educator, au thor and organizer. Through in terviews, Ericka provided the narrative through interviews of BPP women, and gathering historical data. It was women, who comprised 60 percent of the party’s membership that helped shape the party into one of the world’s leading activ ist political organizations. It was the collective work of the women in the BPP who hosted health fairs, food drives, vot ing, teaching young people and other projects that gave a breath of life into the Black

community.

Up until now, little has been written about the collective work of these strong commit ted servant women. Angela Davis, master scholar, activ ist, author, wrote the foreword for the book. She said, “As a previous rank and file member; longtime supporter and lifelong friend of the Black Panther par ty, I am honored to offer a few words of introduction to this book that documents the im mense contributions of women members…This stunning col lection of historical photo graphs, complemented by con temporary conversations with women members of the Black Panther Party reminds us that women were literally the heart of this new political approach to Black Freedom.” The lively, festive block party, including food was hosted by the West Oakland Mural Project, locat ed at 831 Center St, Oakland.

“The mural is the only public art installation in the world dedicated to the women of the Black Panther Party (WBPP) and the 60 plus survival pro grams they created. Tours were provided inside of the building that showcased various proj ects, large photographs includ ing the 10-point manifesto coauthored by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale.

Many of the young people in attendance, heard the presenta tions made by the highly edu cated former BPP women. Rev Cheryl Dawson, a former BPP member who is now a semi nary trained associate minister at Beth Eden Baptist Church spoke about her passion and

desire to serve the people as a Panther member, “I joined the party when I was about 15, my soul was on fire, a serious burn down”.

Ruth WakabayashiKondo, a Japanese BPP mem ber said, “I wanted to serve the people, there is always some thing we can do.” Tarika Lewis said, “this is the community that black people built, refer ring to West Oakland. Kim Nelson, “I joined the party in the Free breakfast For School Children Program. She recalls “Serve the people, body and soul” was our motto. Rev. Gayle (Asali) Dickson, now an ordained minister who is seminary trained, is also an art ist. Her drawings for the news letter focused on women and children to critique capitalism and urban poverty. I listened intently as Ericka Huggins spoke. She said she dreamed about the coming of this book almost 30 years ago…. if an idea comes to you for someone to do something, it could be landing on you to be the one to make a difference; comfort or discomfort…. we made some mistakes, but we brought joy.” I am reminded of the words of James Baldwin “I want Ameri can history taught. Unless I’m in the book, you’re not in it ei ther. History is not a procession of illustrious people. It’s about what happens to a people. Ali cia Garza wrote these closing words in the afterword: …” may we adopt their strength, their courage, and their revo lutionary imagination.” A Dis cussion and Resource Guide has been developed by Angela LeBlanc-Ernest to foster con versation and further research about the women in the book.

Congresswoman Lee and Senator Padilla Hold Roundtable Discussion at First AME Church on Rising Gun Violence

safe communities, support legislation to get the guns off of the streets and deal with the root causes of crime. Our young people deserve invest ments in education, jobs, hous ing, mental health, social and racial justice efforts and more to ensure the quality of life they deserve. Actions speak louder than words. I thank all of the participants for their contributions to the discussion and look forward to lending federal support for many of the strategies proposed today.”

“We’ve seen devastating acts of gun violence play out across the country, and we can no longer let these events pass by without fighting for mean ingful change,” said Sena tor Padilla. “Earlier this year, Congress passed the most significant gun safety legisla tion in nearly thirty years, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and we started to break the chokehold the gun lobby has held on Congress for decades. But we must continue building on this momentum. From ex panding background checks to banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity

magazines, there’s more we must do to get weapons of war off our streets and save lives.”

“There has been so much violence and pain recently in Oakland, but they say those who are closest to the pain are closest to the solution,” said Anne Marks, Executive Direc tor of Youth ALIVE!. “With Congresswoman Lee’s leader ship, we are closer than ever to real, lasting solutions through investment in community-led, cost effective strategies like ours at Youth ALIVE!. We can save lives using a public health approach to violence. “

In June, President Biden signed into law the Bipar tisan Safer Communities Act. The first major gun violence prevention legisla tion passed in nearly three decades, the law includes support for state crisis inter vention orders; protections for victims of domestic vio lence; enhanced background checks for buyers under 21; anti-violence community initiatives; child and family mental health services; and stronger enforcement of gun trafficking and straw pur chases.

Wilfred Ussery Featured in New Book “A Generation Found: The Journey Continues”

Continued from page 1

life as his beautiful wife Maxine who stands beside him, like a true Mother Warrior Queen, and it’s obvious that he adores her. I am honored to include Mr. Ussery in the council of elders with the many other outstanding elders in my book “A Generation Found; The Journey Continues, Volume II”.

Mr. Ussery is determined to share his profound ideas with the world; truly a gift for all time. The other Bay Area elderly luminaries included in Roohee Marshall’s second book will be Gus Newport, Conway Jones, Jr. and Paul Cobb.

Why is it So Important to Give Back

By Richard Johnson

The Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back organization was my brainchild as I struggled in that dark cold dank cell at Peli can Bay State Prison reflecting on my life, wasting practically all of it, going against the grain so-to- speak. I concluded if giv en the opportunity to ever get out I would bring changes not only for myself but equally for the community that I so harmed.

At various periods while do ing a 33 to life sentence for the possession of drugs, my hopes would flee bringing forth a sense of doom, drenched in gloom in that cesspool of misery and de spair. However, what restored my faith, strength, resolve and desire was that I wanted to leave a legacy that my family could appreciate that truly reflected my true self; not the person that most knew as that being a crimi nal.

Even while being labelled by the penal system as being the worst of the worst, I wanted redemption. I knew that I must give back from my heart. I un derstood that time was running short and father time was not go ing to be favorable to me. So, I begin to write about my true self in a ledger that evolved into a life lesson book dedicated to my son and others of his creed. Kids that would undoubtedly be chal lenged by the same contradic tions, hardships and feelings of being lost that I had experienced without the proper examples, mentors and guidance.

Father time eventually turned in a positive way. I was blessed by a turn of fate. I was given an unexpected early release to the community just as COVID emerged on the scene. Gover

Opinion

make a difference. As I believed in my heart, I began to reach out to other members of the reentry community by telling them through my Post columns “If you were once part of the prob lem, you can always be part of the needed solution.”

nor Newsom gave me a medi cal reprieve release. Of course, I had to finish out my term but on the streets. This came with a host of restrictions, safeguards, curfews, ankle monitors, UA testing, radius limitations and more. Once out, I had a list of to-dos first such as acquiring my driver’s license, social security card, ID, etc.

I then was faced with the ne cessity of seeking employment. Soon I found a job at the 5 Key’s organization. Immediately, I came home to a different world that I had left. A total culture shock! I could not imagine it being this bad. Homelessness, torn-up streets, violence untold, schools being shut-down, mis management run amuck. This is where I saw the opportunity to make a real difference by giv ing back turning a negative into a positive, giving birth to Former ly Incarcerated Giving Back. I was also giving an opportunity to continue as a columnist with the Oakland Post which had started while I was at San Quentin I knew that others who also would be released from prison would see the need for change and to be in a position to just serve others by volunteering to

In short order, I began to do what I could for the commu nity without resources, without any government grants, without foundation grants. At the be ginning I only had the love and support of my family and a few coins in my pocket, but i decided to launch the Formerly Incar cerated Giving Back’s effort as a way to observe and celebrate the true spirit and meanings of Christmas, thanksgiving, Fa ther’s & Mother’s Day, June teenth by collecting and giving what we had available to needy families and children.

I believe Something is always better than nothing. Which is why I recruited other volunteers to help gather me gather Food, gift cards, clothing, toys and oc casionally money to help meet the cost of living which has skyrocketed, impacting the most vulnerable. What gave me pause however was the seeming lack of community partnerships.

The lack of unity undermines the needed work to shift the pen dulum forward. A solid fist is always much stronger than indi vidual fingers. Unity is the key to success; we must not undermine one another or play politics with the lives that so desperately need our help. The resources are here. Proper distribution, cooperation and management has been what is lacking. Mistakes are inevita ble; however, repeated mistakes aren’t. Setting the proper course is doable. Let’s man-up and woman-up for a serious change.

PIC Meets with Formerly Incarcerated and Clergy

SDA Churches Join Outreach Efforts to Find Solutions to Upsurge Of Violence

Mobile Medical Health Van operated by Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church out of Oakland sat in front of the church and provided health screenings and community resource information to the general public. The Medical Van, which was gifted to the church by Pastor Raymond

Lankford of Healthy Com munities, has provided free health care services through out Alameda County for the last few years. The prayer of Pastor Damon Washington of Immanuel Temple Church, who was ordained during the afternoon program, is for their health ministry to partner with the other providers like OPIC

and Oakland Workforce Agen cies and to combat the ongoing health disparities and violence within the city and beyond.

They have pledged to work with the Chaplains, the OPIC and the Formerly Incarcer ated Giving Back ,who want to make amends for the damages they have done to harm Oak land.

Oakland School District Accused of Firing Teacher Activists

Continued from page 1 ing actions against teacher activ ist despite a letter sent to school several school employees on Feb. 11 by OUSD Chief Governance Officer Joshua Daniels pledg ing not to “not retaliate against any OUSD employee involved in protesting school closures … or supporting those who are in volved in such protests.”

Nelson, one of the affected teachers, taught special educa tion at Lockwood Elementary last year and was hired as a sub stitute teacher in Oakland for the

current school year. On her sec ond day of teaching, she received an email saying, “We onboarded you mistakenly. You are not eli gible for future employment with OUSD.”

Nelson had coordinated the educational program at Parker Community School last summer, which was run by parents, OUSD educators and others occupying Parker to provide services in the East Oakland neighborhood, ac cording to a press statement from teacher activists.

Gordon, an OUSD teacher

for 24 years and a substitute teacher for eight years, dis covered at the beginning of the school year that he was unable to access the online substitute system to apply for work.

“I emailed the head of Hu man Resources and asked if something had changed with my employment,” he said in an interview with Oakland Voic es. “I was told a letter had been sent notifying me that my em ployment was hereby terminat

From left to right: Stephen Shames, Gayle Asail Dickson, Ericka Huggins, Cheryl Dawson, Ruth Wakabayashi-Kondo, Tarika Lewis.

Richard Johnson

Ray Lankford,PIC, Gay Plair Cobb, PIC, Jonathan Jones, AASEG, Richard deJauregui, PIC;Priscilla Drawsand and Minister KingX,K.A.G.E, Richard Johnson, Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back;Pastor Phyllis Scott, Oakland Chaplaincy and Pastors of Oakland. Gathered at the PIC offices to plan for a city-wide program to develop livable wage jobs, affordable housing, coun seling support services and economic opportunities. Richard Johnson said,”many of those com mitting crimes need jobs so they can support their families.”